KALAMAZOO, MI - From Day 1 of his freshman year, Jarvion Franklin was an impact player for the Western Michigan football team.
In 2014, the Illinois native rushed for 1,551 yards and 24 touchdowns, becoming the first player to win Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year honors in the same season.
As a junior, Franklin broke the career rushing touchdown record at WMU, and with another 1,000-yard season, he'll become the program's career rushing leader.
But the focus of Franklin's offseason was as much preparing to carry the team on the field as it was preparing to lead off it.